Paul Jacobsen “Visible Light”

“Light as the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible has been and continues to enhance our human experience in the world. As a painter there are a number of phenomena that I spend my time grappling with, most having to do with light’s influence on the natural world. For instance, distance, space, the sun's angle in the sky, refraction by moisture in the air and its reflection and absorption by matter all influence my decisions. Most importantly to this current body of work are the best techniques for observing this, the eyes, sticks and thumbs, grids, rulers, site lines, viewfinders, pinholes in darkened rooms, and lenses

As a starting point I have taken into account some of history’s most impressive and masterly depictions of our spherical home, and more specifically, an account of my own physical proximity in space but not time, the Hudson River School. Friedrich Church, Albert Bierstadt, and Thomas Cole have collectively captured that romantic sense of the inimitable grandeur of nature and just how supremely important that mighty light from above is in illuminating this dark rock. By recreating these works in charcoal grisaille I am afforded the opportunity to highlight the technique of the observer by means of overlaying spectral lens’ flares bringing attention to the mundane act of seeing and the more controversial act of surveillance. These works are simultaneously about the lowly labor and visual strain of art making and the quickening and expanding of our collective field of vision into every corner of our lives.” - Paul Jacobsen 

Press release and images via Elizabeth Moore Fine Art.